Tit for Tat: Atheist Americans are you atheists first or American first?

Question

What if your Country outlawed atheism and made it illegal to not attend church. Would you attend or hold to your belief?
Not an argument just wanted to give you equal time.

Answer 1

Quite simply, an America which outlaws atheism would no longer be America.

Answer 2

I was going to say "American," but the second part of your question makes it a little more interesting.

I guess it would depend on the consequences of not attending church. If an armed church enforcement squad is going to come to my house and shoot me in the head, I'll go to church. If the penalty is 20 years in prison, I'll go to church. However, I would be actively seeking out people who wanted to resist, and I would try to find a safer way to dissent.

If the penalty was a small fine or something, I wouldn't go to church.

So, I guess I would resist if that became American law. However, I still see myself as being American first because such a law would be unjust and contrary to the Constitution. I think it would be "American" to resist such a law.

Answer 3

American

Answer 4

I guess I don't really think of it in terms of "this first, that second". If my country made it illegal to not attend church, I would probably just register with a liberal church and do what I could to stay out of prison... Or I might move.

But my own private thoughts are just that -- and even if I wanted to, it's not like I could just transform what I believe.

Answer 5

I'm a human being first, a daughter/sister/girlfriend/friend second, and an American third. I don't define myself by what I'm not (as with atheism) unless it's necessary, as it is here when discussing religion.

If it were illegal to be an atheist, my actions would depend on the penalty involved. Jail time? I'd engage in civil disobedience, go to jail, and continue protesting for equal rights for everyone. Death? My butt'd be in church, and I'd work within the system for change.

Answer 6

I am certainly an American first, as there is no defining doctrine of atheism to compete with.

I would not be compelled to profess a belief or take part in religious services, though. I believe in truth before anything else.

Answer 7

I would probably move to a country that actually supported freedom, but if I had to stay, I would either take up the cause to reinstate religious freedom, or be lazy and just attend the latest services available. In a Buddhist temple, if at all possible. I think you mean people would have to be Christian, however, so I'd go back to the good old Catholic Church. No real effort required there.

It really depends how much I felt like living in hardship. I'd like to think I'd fight for freedom.

Answer 8

If this country outlawed atheism then the constitution itself would be suspended. As stated in the declaration of independence it is the right of the people to overthrow such a tyranical government as you hypothesize. Further for the constitution to have been suspended by those sworn to defend it would mean they had committed treason. I would take up arms and fight till the last drop of my blood ran into the soil to overthrow such a tyrnaical form of government. As an American I would fight to the death for the right to be an american--atheist-christian-moslem--doesn't matter--i'd defend the constitution to the death.

Answer 9

My country could try to outlaw atheism and force me to attend the religious services of their choice but that doesn't take away my free thought. It wouldn't affect me in the least.

Answer 10

I don't go to church anyway.

I think what you mean is would I stick by my beliefs or submit to the government. The answer is I would leave the country. America would not be fit to live in if it ever banned a religion.